Chapter 154 - Chapter 149 Unveiling the Notice 1 (1/2)
Chapter 149 Unveiling the Notice 1
Translator: 549690339 I
Fortunately, both master and servant had a certain level of cultivation, which allowed them to travel much faster than the average person.
Especially Qin Niu, who had already reached the first layer of the Acquired Realm, trod as lightly as if he were flying. If he were to run at full speed, he reckoned he wouldn’t be much slower than an ordinary horse.
This time entering the city, he was only planning on selling one insect, namely the Green Demon giant bee he had cultivated.
Given his current limited strength, revealing too many special insects at once could easily draw unwanted attention.
He had learned multiple ways to make money from Xiao Qing last time.
For instance, helping others heal their sickly herbs.
If the opportunity arose, Qin Niu wouldn’t mind taking on a job to earn some extra money.
With that Ancient Banyan Tree, he could enjoy a cultivation speed more than twenty times faster than normal and had virtually no need for elixirs at present. As for weapons, the Treasured Sword had been preliminarily nurtured by him and was sufficient to handle most dangers.
In terms of armor, the King Pig Leather he brought with him would be made into two sets of armor which would be adequate for his use.
At least, with his current strength, hiding in a place like Shuangfeng Village, nestled in the mountains, one set of King Pig Leather Armor was completely sufficient.
The Yan Family was the largest in Jade Stream Town.
For now, his relationship with the Yan Family was quite good. As long as he continued to keep a low profile, they probably wouldn’t make a move against him.
About having offended the brothers Wang Yue and Wang Haikun, he had no fear whatsoever.
With his current level of cultivation, he could crush Wang Yue with one hand.
So, he had almost no demands concerning cultivation resources for now.
The only thing he wanted to buy for the time being was books related to cultivation. During his conversation with Xiao Qing, he had clearly felt that his knowledge of cultivation was shallow, almost equivalent to that of an unlearned man.
That certainly wouldn’t do.
He must read more books and enrich himself.
He also planned to make some purchases in the aspects of insect control, beast taming, and planting.
Tang Yan had given him a box of Insect Control Books, so he could save money in that area.
The rest would be books on beast taming and planting.
If there were suitable ones, he would buy some to take back.
For beast taming, he only planned to get some books on basic knowledge. Such books weren’t expensive.
If he found any specific books on taming turtles and water buffalos that were reasonably priced, he might consider acquiring them as well.
Books on specific types of beast taming were usually expensive, but they were filled with useful practical knowledge.
Like the book on Green Demon beekeeping he had bought which contained a lot of valuable insights.
When the master and servant were about to arrive at Black Tiger City, Xiao Qing frequently glanced in one direction. There lay her grandfather’s grave.
However, seeing Qin Niu not slowing down, she kept silent and followed behind him.
All along the way, locusts could be seen in swarms.
They were crazily gnawing at anything that could fill their bellies.
The market outside Black Tiger City was noticeably quieter than usual.
Qin Niu noticed that many of the vegetables sold by the farmers bore wormholes.
“Auntie, how much for this cabbage?”
“Wen Money for two catties.”
“To sell it so expensively after it’s been bitten by insects?”
Qin Niu couldn’t help but internally comment on the price the farmer had quoted.
It had increased at least five-fold.
In the past, Wen Money could get you ten catties.
The least valuable were cabbages and radishes because they had high yields, short growth periods, and required minimal planting techniques—almost every household could grow them.
“Young man, this one is relatively good! Look at what the others’ cabbages look like after being nibbled! If you like eating it, best to buy some more now to take back home because in a few days, the price will rise even further. Those damn locusts are swarming everywhere, unending like a dark cloud, and we just can’t drive them away. We can’t even plant crops anymore. If it keeps on like this, let alone Wen Money for two catties, even a tael of silver won’t buy you any.”
The auntie cursed the despicable locusts.
“If that’s really the case, we’re in for a worry. I can live without cabbage but not without grains. In two or three days we’d starve. I’ll look elsewhere, your price is too expensive.”
Qin Niu continued walking with Xiao Qing.
On both sides of the official road, various peddlers were hawking their wares. There were vendors selling firewood, vegetables, fish—almost anything one could think of.
“Fishing nets, fine mesh fishing nets! Half a meter for Wen Money, just Wen Money for half a meter— a magic tool against locusts, a helpful aid to protect your crops, come and buy them!”
A middle-aged man with tanned skin was energetically selling woven fishing nets.
Half a meter for Wen Money was practically daylight robbery.
But indeed, such a thing could effectively fend off locusts, so it was no surprise to see their prices skyrocket.
“Medicinal wine, distilled from a secret family recipe—particularly effective against locusts. Just a sprinkle can ward off locusts for over twelve hours. Selling for just three Wen Money per catty, and if it doesn’t work, you don’t have to pay.”
Well, that’s even more expensive.
At three Wen Money per catty for insect-repellent medicinal wine, ordinary families probably couldn’t afford it.
Landlords would do their calculations carefully and were unlikely to purchase it in bulk.
At most, they’d buy some to protect their important crops, flowers, and herbs.
The problem was, many valuable plants and herbs were particularly delicate. If sprayed with insect-repellent medicinal wine, the insects might be deterred, but the plants would likely wither swiftly.
As they walked, Qin Niu quietly observed that the prices of goods had generally increased.
Especially vegetables, fishing nets, insect-repellent medicinal wine, and flails, for which the prices had risen sharply.
The higher-ups of the Black Tiger Gang must be under tremendous pressure now.
If the locust plague can’t be stopped and the common people are ruined, the Black Tiger Gang, who would have lost their foundation, would be doomed as well.
People are like water, and officials are like boats.
Without the water, the Black Tiger Gang would be like having the firewood pulled out from under their cauldron, and it wouldn’t take long for them to fall apart.
Where did the salaries for officials and soldiers come from?
They all came from the tributes of the people under the Black Tiger Gang’s control.
Without the people, where would they levy taxes?
The Gang Leader of the Black Tiger Gang would probably have to farm the land himself to have something to eat.